m floor, mocking the vibrancy I felt was draining from my own life. It had been five days since Damon's fury had turned my throat into a bruised and aching mess, five days since his Alpha power had

then the rush of his dominance, a power that felt like being crushed beneath tons of stone. And afterwards, the same sneer, the same disgusted pronounce

. Today, we would know – I would know – whether I was c

terfly cage, wings beating against my ribs. For the first time in what felt like a lifetime, I felt something other than dr

held both understanding and a hint of pity. "Elara, ever

"Is it a boy?" I asked, m

wo, actually. Twin males. You're

o. A surge of warmth flooded me, chasing away the chill that had taken roo

re with Damon. Maybe, just maybe, the knowledge of his sons would soften the edg

blips on the ultrasound screen burned into my mind. I imagined their little hands, their tiny noses. I imagined

to share the good news, ready for a change. "Alpha!" I called, my voi

as silent.

the living room, to our bedroom. I pushed the door open, my

ted me was like a p

m, her pale, blonde hair fanned across our pillow, was Seraphina. My childhood tormentor, the one who had s

g, her words laced with a mockery that cut deeper than any b

re. I can't believe my grandmother forced this on me," he spat out, his eyes dark with di

efore turned into a sharp, agonizing pain. It felt like my i

od, frozen, my hands clenching at my s

"Well, well, look what the cat dragged in," she drawled, pushing herself up on her elbows, her eyes scanning me w

h you, our..." My voice broke, choked wi

ce dripping with disdain. "You're still pathetic, still useless." His eyes,

y vision blurring with tears. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think. I could only feel, and what I felt was the shattering of

ed and

the sounds of their laughter echoing in my ears. I didn't know where I was going, I didn'

ht air stung my skin, but it didn't compare to the burning ache in my chest. My heart

cruelty of my life, away from the weight of my own existence. I didn't know where I'd

y fog, I stumbled, my vision blurring. The last thi